August 20, 2012

Melting (Ben / Joey)

Ben and Joey: Melting

(Beta: Dizzy)

Ben woke up in an empty bed. Frowning, he struggled out of the
confining bedding, staring at the piled up comforter in disgust. He
wasn't sure they'd ever use it again. The temperatures had been
unbearable and the fans only swirled the hot air around helplessly.

He stumbled out of the bedroom and into the bathroom, disappointed
not to find Joey in there. After relieving himself and splashing some
cold water on his face and neck, he went off in search of his lover.

“Joey?”

On autopilot he walked into the kitchen where he almost stumbled over
Joey. He caught himself just in time and crouched down. The small
black spaniel puppy slept, sprawled on his belly. Cautiously, Ben
reached out and scratched the soft skin behind Joey's ears.

“Sweetheart? Time to wake up,” Ben said
softly.

The pup's dark eyes blinked open slowly, his gaze unfocused at first.
When he saw Ben, he wagged his tail, stretched his limbs, and yawned
widely.

Morning.

Ben lifted the puppy into his arms to kiss his nose. Joey whined and
struggled immediately.

Put me down!

Surprised, and also a bit hurt, Ben held the puppy in front of him.
“Sweetheart? What's going on here? This is the third morning in a
row I find you sleeping in the kitchen instead of our bed.”

Put me dooooown!

Instead of obliging, Ben cradled the panting puppy close to his
chest. “Don't you dare scratch me.”

I won't. But pleeeease let me down.

“I want you to shift when I let go of you. Will
you do that?”

Yes!

Still irritated, Ben carried Joey into the living room before he put
him on the floor. Joey shifted swiftly but instantly took two steps
backward. A crease appeared between Ben's eyes while he willed
himself to stay calm. Joey's rejecting behavior began to worry him
more and more.

He sat down on the sofa and patted the seat next to him. Reluctantly,
Joey followed the invitation but kept a safe distance from his lover.

“Joey, would you like to explain to me why you
have suddenly developed such a fetish for sleeping on the floor in
the kitchen? Or why you don't want me to touch you anymore?” Ben
asked, concern and frustration obvious in his voice.

Joey squirmed but kept his eyes averted.

“Joseph.”

Joey's bursting into tears came completely out of the blue for Ben.
Instinctively, he scooted closer to the younger man and lifted him on
his lap. Joey's sobs increased in volume and he struggled against
Ben's hold. Nothing Ben said calmed Joey down. On the contrary, Joey
became more and more agitated.

Eventually, Ben brought his hand down sharply on one of Joey's ass
cheeks, eliciting a loud yelp.

“Stop that and talk to me! Whatever it is, we
will find a solution.” Inwardly, Ben applauded himself for how
confident he sounded when he felt anything but it. Joey's behavior
was so completely atypical that it frightened him.

“You won't understaaaand!”

“Try me.”

“I can't sleep next to you at the moment.”

Ben breathed through the sharp pain in his chest, tightening his grip
on his lover. “Why?”

“It's so hot and you're like an octopus in your
sleep. You keep spooning behind me or dragging me closer to you and
it's too hot to cuddle but you keep draping yourself all over me,”
Joey babbled.

Ben couldn't help it—he laughed. In a strangled voice he said,
“Damn Joey, I thought something was serious amiss with us.”

“Amiss? I don't understand. Wait! Before we talk
some more, can I please get off your lap?”

Chuckling, Ben lifted Joey off his lap. “Sweetheart, I thought you
might have had enough of me. Your rejections hurt. Why didn't you
just tell me?”

“W-Wait! You were... you did... seriously? I'm
sorry, Ben! I just... I can't think clearly in this heat,” Joey
replied, pushing sweat-soaked curls from his forehead. Hesitantly, he
added, “You're not going to spank me for not talking to you, are
you? I mean, that would involve a lot of body contact and it's too
hot for that!”

“Not to mention how hot your backside would feel
afterward,” Ben said, smiling. He held out his hand for Joey, who
took it with a defeated sigh. Ben pulled him up from the sofa and
toward the bathroom.

Confused, Joey asked, “What are we doing?”

“Taking a bath.”

“What?” Joey cried out, outraged. “Do you
want to kill me?”

“We'll take a bath in very tepid water. It'll be
like in a pool. It'll kill two birds with one stone.”

Ben opened the taps, and checked the water temperature, all the time
keeping a firm hold on Joey's hand.

“What do you mean?”

Ben straightened up, trailed his thumb over Joey's
right cheekbone and smiled. “You
will be able to cool down and I
will be able to touch you. Win-win for both of us.”

Joey's features softened. “That sounds great. You're... are you mad
at me?”

“Sweetheart, it's too hot to stay mad at you.”

Grinning, both men stepped into the tub and enjoyed the cool water as
well as the possibility to touch and be close to each other.

2 comments:

I love your Joey and Ben! I find them fun and refreshing. I've not been a huge fan of shapeshifters until you sent me this couple. Now I'm addicted! You can see the love just shine through with these characters. Keep writing!